The “barn quilt” folk-art movement (quilt patterns painted on wooden panels that are hung on the exterior walls of barns) started just a few years ago and now boasts more than 1,500 of these remarkable paintings in two dozen states across rural America. (Read more in our Oct/Nov 09 issue.) But quilt enthusiasts in suburban America were feeling a bit left out. The solution? Garage-door quilts.

"Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, red wine in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming 'WOO HOO, what a ride!'"

I've been making quilts since I was a girl. My great aunt showed me how to use a quilting frame. For quite a few years I made tons of baby quilts, for my own babies and others. I made a quilt for everyone who got married. I'm sad I didn't take a photo of everything I've made. My skill used to be so much better than it is now. I've relaxed a bit as I've gotten older. I'm thankful to just finish something...and if its not quite perfect thats ok. I still love it, the receivers appreciate them and I'm still sewing. Keep working at it...be happy with your results...it's a lovely craft.

quote:Originally posted by Chickiebirdrose

Hi Debtea2I have been watching a lot of YouTube videos and have taught myself about quilting. Classes were hard because many people in them were more advanced than I was. The thing to remember about quilting is that it is an expression of you, and that whatever you create is a work of art! Little by little, just like your quilts, you will grow and flourish in your skill.

Posted - Apr 26 2016 : 8:12:09 PM Oh how I luv seeing Barn Quilts....There is a metal barn about 20miles down the mountain that has a "Flag" on the side...visable for motorists driving up the mountain.

Posted - Apr 26 2016 : 7:20:49 PM Hi Debtea2I have been watching a lot of YouTube videos and have taught myself about quilting. Classes were hard because many people in them were more advanced than I was. The thing to remember about quilting is that it is an expression of you, and that whatever you create is a work of art! Little by little, just like your quilts, you will grow and flourish in your skill.

Chickiebirdrose

Posted - Apr 26 2016 : 7:14:02 PM

quote:Originally posted by debtea2

i love quilts and wish i knew how to make one i tried a class but everyone in it was a pro and finished everything in one weekend i was still cuting and matchingand we don't have a lot of classes for quilters here anyone know any books that are good for beginners i can sew and have a lot of ideas like a garden quilt with all the veggies i live two hours from the amish country and i live to go there for the quiltbut i found one in idaho that i just fell in love with and wanted so bad but the woman who made it wasn't around and they could not sell it it was a rag quilt unbelievably beautiful.thanks deborah

inch by inch we find our wayjersey farmgirl

Red Tractor Girl

Posted - Mar 22 2016 : 09:42:16 AM Kem , your barn quilts are great! If I had a barn, I would definitely want it to have a quilt. They add so much beauty and color! Good luck with your business!!

Winnie #3109Red Tractor GirlFarm Sister of the Year 2014-2015

quiltee

Posted - Mar 20 2016 : 7:13:27 PM Beautiful design, Alicia. I went to that website but it is closed. Darn!

"Women are Angels, and when someone breaks our wings, we simply continue to fly . . . on a broomstick - we're flexible, like that."

Bonnie Ellis

Posted - Mar 18 2016 : 9:00:44 PM Alicia, I am so excited for you. A farm of your own that was part of your family. The design is just beautiful. If you can't draw it maybe a school art teacher in the closest town. Keep us posted.

"We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses." Abraham Lincoln

DandeeRose

Posted - Mar 18 2016 : 08:06:31 AM I can't wait to have a barn for a quilt! I have a design picked out!! Edelweiss...It's a swiss flower. The farm we are buying was my husband's great uncle (who was Swiss) and aunt old farm.

Posted - Mar 18 2016 : 08:01:56 AM I can't wait to have a barn for a quilt! I have a design picked out!! Edelweiss...It's a swiss flower. The farm we are buying was my husband's great uncle (who was Swiss) and aunt old farm.

Posted - Jan 28 2016 : 10:33:02 PM That sounds wonderful. I am so excited for you. You do great blocks. Did you say you live in Kansas? Who knows where we'll be going on vacation...

grandmother and orphan farmgirl

Cozynana

Posted - Jan 28 2016 : 06:30:47 AM Bonnie, you are right, the possibilities are endless. We have done everything from motorcycles to apples to sheriff stars. You name it we may be doing it. We even do commissions out of state. A 4x4' went to Texas. It is soooo much fun. I spend too many hours on pinterest.com looking for patterns and ideas. My favorite is the American Eagle. I am doing a 4x4' vintage tractor with a flag on the hood to put by our mailbox and a contemporary flag that is 6x6' for our shed on one of our other farms. I will post when I get them done.

Posted - Jan 19 2016 : 09:06:07 AM our town is getting ready to do a self driving brochure and include historical places to visit while doing the tour. We envision dedicating a Barn Art piece to mark most or all of the historical places in our county. We are very rural and don't have a huge amount of historical sites, very easy to achieve.

Blessed in Colorado

Posted - Jan 19 2016 : 08:38:45 AM So beautiful! Thanks for sharing!

Hugs,Deb#1582Blessed in Colorado

"Dream as if you will live forever...live as if you will die today." James Dean

"The truth is everyone is going hurt you. You got to find the ones worth suffering for." Bob Marley

"Women are Angels, and when someone breaks our wings, we simply continue to fly . . . on a broomstick - we're flexible, like that."

ddmashayekhi

Posted - Jan 19 2016 : 06:45:25 AM They are all beautiful and I'm sure will be a big hit. Maybe you can let the tourist/visitor information centers on the route know this is being done so they advertise it for folks who like to drive scenic routes. Keep up the beautiful work!

Dawn in IL

"We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses." Abraham Lincoln

Cozynana

Posted - Jan 19 2016 : 06:43:08 AM Mary Jane, I would like to invite you to come tour our county this summer when the Barn Art is all up and travel down Kansas Hwy 36 and see what the counties have done. I will post more as the pictures come in. We have everything from 2x2' to 8x8' Barn Art. Some of it is traditional and some of it is very personal. The flag was done for a Viet Nam veteran.

Cozynana

Posted - Jan 19 2016 : 06:40:15 AM Should have added, that we are trying to be unique and add pieces not seen everywhere. The one with the barb wire is my brother with his cattle brand. The eagle was so much fun to do. It was a paper piece pattern that I altered. I kind of wish I would have saved it for our barn. Oh well, it fits perfect at the American Legion.

Cozynana

Posted - Jan 19 2016 : 06:36:14 AMThe Decatur Barn Art Quilt Trail (we have a Facebook page, please join) is going gang busters. We are joining forces to do a whole Barn Art trail on Hwy 36 in Kansas from the Colorado border to the Missouri border. Here are some more of our pieces that will be installed around the county. I love the paper piece American eagle. It is at our American Legion

ddmashayekhi

Posted - Dec 27 2015 : 05:48:11 AM They are all beautiful, but the vet one is my favorite too. Keep up the good work and please keep sharing the pictures with us!

Dawn in IL

Bonnie Ellis

Posted - Dec 27 2015 : 02:16:16 AM I like the purple one too but the other one must be for a veternarian. Nicely done.

"Women are Angels, and when someone breaks our wings, we simply continue to fly . . . on a broomstick - we're flexible, like that."

Cozynana

Posted - Dec 26 2015 : 12:27:04 PM Here are some of our Barn Art pieces have consigned with our committee. We have had sooooo much fun and are cranking them out like crazy. The people request traditional Barn Art, contemporary Barn Art, and more like ART Barn Art. Whatever they want, we try to do. So much fun!!!! this is a sample of what we have done. We have had 4 classes, so there are tons of 2x2' pieces out there and quite a few 4x4', some 6x6', and currently one 8x8'

ClaireSky

Posted - Nov 11 2015 : 09:16:52 AM Bonnie and Linda, I love both of your barn quilts!! I will have to put this on my long list of things to do... Thanks for sharing!

Julie Farmgirl #399May 2010 Farmgirl of the Month

Folks will know how large your soul is by the way you treat a dog ... Charles F. Doran